Flagstone safe??

fishkeeper01 · 12-30-2012, 08:23 PM

So im in the process of scaping my african cichlid tank, i could only find flagstone at my local home depot(for making caves because its thin and light) and i was just wondering if it was safe.

Diana · 12-30-2012, 09:19 PM

Rock for Rift Lake Cichlids can be of limestone origin. If it releases minerals to the water that is exactly the right conditions for hard water fish.

If you have African Cichlids like Jewels or Kribs, that is, soft water fish, then you will need to test the rocks.
Get some small broken off pieces and test in a jar of water. Test GH, KH, pH and TDS for a week or so. If any of these values rise, then the rock is adding minerals to the water, and may not be a good choice for soft water fish.

fishkeeper01 · 12-30-2012, 09:22 PM

Sorry should have been more descriptive, it is for a rift lake cichlid tank.

Diana · 12-31-2012, 06:22 PM

Even a big chain like HD will have different materials in each store, so I cannot say if the materials in Hawaii are OK.
Just do not use the man-made concrete fake rocks. Use real rock.

One problem is that the rock can be so crumbly that it falls apart when it is in the water. This is not good in any tank (not in the garden, either!)

The other problem is if the rock is limestone, but since you are keeping Rift Lake fish that is not a problem in this case.

Even rock that looks really flat, like it would stack up pretty easily might not.
Have a hammer and cold chisel available, and safety glasses, so you can break the rock or knock off an awkward bit.
If that leaves too sharp an edge then use the hammer and tap that sharp edge to dull it.

12-30-2012, 08:23 PM	#1
fishkeeper01 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: hawaii Posts: 210	Flagstone safe?? So im in the process of scaping my african cichlid tank, i could only find flagstone at my local home depot(for making caves because its thin and light) and i was just wondering if it was safe.

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12-30-2012, 09:19 PM	#2
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	Rock for Rift Lake Cichlids can be of limestone origin. If it releases minerals to the water that is exactly the right conditions for hard water fish. If you have African Cichlids like Jewels or Kribs, that is, soft water fish, then you will need to test the rocks. Get some small broken off pieces and test in a jar of water. Test GH, KH, pH and TDS for a week or so. If any of these values rise, then the rock is adding minerals to the water, and may not be a good choice for soft water fish.

12-30-2012, 09:22 PM	#3
fishkeeper01 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: hawaii Posts: 210	Sorry should have been more descriptive, it is for a rift lake cichlid tank.

12-31-2012, 06:22 PM	#4
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	Even a big chain like HD will have different materials in each store, so I cannot say if the materials in Hawaii are OK. Just do not use the man-made concrete fake rocks. Use real rock. One problem is that the rock can be so crumbly that it falls apart when it is in the water. This is not good in any tank (not in the garden, either!) The other problem is if the rock is limestone, but since you are keeping Rift Lake fish that is not a problem in this case. Even rock that looks really flat, like it would stack up pretty easily might not. Have a hammer and cold chisel available, and safety glasses, so you can break the rock or knock off an awkward bit. If that leaves too sharp an edge then use the hammer and tap that sharp edge to dull it.